Beautiful coastal villages: 'Precious gems' say no to plastic waste

Cu Lao Cham, a once poor outpost island commune, has now risen to become a 'gem' of tourism. The island not only attracts visitors by its wild beauty but is also famous for its impressive story: 'say no to plastic waste'.

The daring journey to 'quit' plastic addiction

Located about 20 km from Cua Dai beach (Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City - Hoi An City, old Quang Nam Province), Cu Lao Cham has become easier to access than ever before. Instead of having to spend nearly 3 hours by train like before, visitors only need 20 minutes of surfing on a speedboat to set foot on the island.

As soon as arriving at the port, a stream of fresh, cool air from the trees seems to dispel all the stuffiness of the city; not only that, visitors are also completely attracted by the wildness and peaceful, poetic fishing village.

A corner of Cu Lao Cham island

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

In 2009, when Cu Lao Cham was recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve, a new chapter opened for this idyllic island. Many international organizations recognized Cu Lao Cham as a brilliant success story thanks to the strategy of "conservation as livelihood".

This place is now not only a center for cultural and biodiversity conservation, but also the first place in Vietnam to successfully "quit" plastic bags.

The story of saying no to plastic waste in Cu Lao Cham began in 2009. To carry out the "Say no to plastic bags" campaign, the local government launched a unique collection program: buying back plastic bags from the people. The loudspeaker announced that anyone with plastic bags could bring them to the commune headquarters to sell.

This has encouraged both adults and children to enthusiastically collect plastic bags, cleaning up both the landfill and the remaining bags in the house.

Besides tourism , people's lives also depend on the sea.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

After initial success, Cu Lao Cham continued to "upgrade" environmental protection activities, expanding the campaign to "Say no to plastic straws" and "Say no to disposable plastic products".

This daring journey completely changed the appearance of the island, which is only about 15 ^square kilometers wide.

Mr. Bui Lo (63 years old, in Bai Ong village, Tan Hiep commune), a resident of Cu Lao Cham since 1968, said that before the year 2000, Cu Lao Cham island was a "storage" for the mainland's waste. But after the revolution of saying no to plastic waste, this outpost island is now famous for being one of the most beautiful and clean archipelagos in Vietnam.

In 1968, Mr. Lo followed his parents on a wooden boat from the mainland to Cu Lao Cham Island. After many years of living on the island, he had a magnificent accommodation facility. Every day, he and his wife received Western guests who booked rooms, went to the forest and down to the sea to experience the wild beauty of the island.

"Although I am not a native of the island commune, I am very proud to choose this place as my next hometown. To me, Cu Lao Cham is a beautiful, poetic island that cannot be found anywhere else," Mr. Lo said.

Many rare and strange things in Cu Lao Cham

Thanks to environmental conservation, the lives of the people of Cu Lao Cham are increasingly improving. Tourism is developing strongly, bringing stable income to the local people.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the average income of the people here was even the highest in Quang Nam province. With about 50 homestays and accommodation facilities managed by the people themselves, Cu Lao Cham has become an ideal destination for those who want to experience the local life and culture.

Cu Lao Cham has beautiful beaches, attracting tourists.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

In Cu Lao Cham, there are many strange things that are rare elsewhere. That is, any job people do is registered and managed. Land funds, forest and sea resources are divided equally for everyone. People who are allowed to drive motorbike taxis are not allowed to exploit stone crabs. Those who go to catch stone crabs are not allowed to collect forest leaves. Without using regulations, the people of Cu Lao Cham have always agreed and shared benefits with each other as a default.

Many international tourists coming here express their admiration for the way Cu Lao Cham people protect the environment.

Mr. Laurent (a French tourist) said that every time he and his wife come to Vietnam for a long-term stay, they choose Cu Lao Cham Island. "What makes my wife and I love this island the most is that we say no to plastic waste. On the other hand, in addition to the beautiful, pristine scenery, fresh air, and peace... the important factor is that we want to directly experience the life and culture of the local people," said Mr. Laurent.

Talking to Thanh Nien reporter, Ms. Pham Thi My Huong, Chairman of Tan Hiep Commune People's Committee, said that in addition to the "say no to plastic waste" campaigns that the commune has implemented in recent years, the locality has coordinated with the Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area Management Board to organize many practical activities such as propaganda, waste classification at source, organic waste treatment at resource recovery facilities (MRF), mobilizing fishermen to collect waste at sea and bring it to shore or the "Ocean House" model...

Cu Lao Cham is known as the island with no plastic waste.

PHOTO: MANH CUONG

The Chairman of Tan Hiep Commune People's Committee affirmed that the policy of saying no to plastic waste is an important factor that helps Cu Lao Cham attract tourists. It is the curiosity to "verify" that a small island can do great things that the whole world is aiming for that urges tourists to come.

"Despite many difficulties, Cu Lao Cham's 'no plastic waste' story has been recognized by tourists and locals. This success not only helps preserve the natural beauty but also opens up a sustainable direction for tourism, turning Cu Lao Cham into a symbol of community efforts and awareness in protecting the environment," Ms. Huong shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-ngoi-lang-tuyet-dep-ven-bien-vien-ngoc-quy-noi-khong-voi-rac-thai-nhua-185250828165029244.htm